Xerographic development electrode apparatus

Claim 1

In a xerographic reproduction unit inCluding a photosensitive surface; means to form an electrostatic latent image on said surface and a developing apparatus for delivering two-component cascade developer to said surface at a developing station for cascade development of the latent image thereon; a development electrode apparatus comprising a plurality of taut generally parallel spaced conductive members located in said development station and in a plane spaced from and generally parallel to said photosensitive surface; said conductive members extending in the same general direction as the movement of the cascading developer; said conductive members each having a maximum cross sectional dimension of from about 0.004 to 0.050 inch and center to center spaced from each other from about 0.010 to 0.250 inch; said photosensitive surface extending away from and at an angle to said plane of said conductive members at the lower end of the development station; said conductive members extending substantially beyond the lower end of the development station to the extent that excessive developer freely flows off said photosensitive surface; and means to contact said electrodes to a reference potential.